Game 22 | Los Angeles (12-9) @ Milwaukee (9-13) | 12/9/15 | 5:00PM

[Wammy Giveaway]

Doc finally seeing the light?

The one light I've noticed, and this is minuscule, seems to be the reduction of techs. Blake Griffin's ejection may have been the bump in the head the Clippers needed to cut down on the complaining. But we did have one today on Crawford's part. Luckily it had no effect on the team.

The Clippers are still reliant on highlight reel plays. Jordan's grim posters to Monroe and Antetokounmpo energized the team into caring the load and protecting the win. The fun died as soon as the Bucks employed the Hack-A-Shaq, which infuriated especially Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith. It seems to me that the announcers are afraid that the Hack-A-Shaq may harm the Clipper's happy-go-lucky spirits and put them into a spell to the point they could actually lose a game (remember the FedEx false fire drill that knocked the Clippers out of their comfort zone vs. Grizzlies), but they shouldn't need to worry. They still have a perfect record every time the force foul strategy is used on DeAndre Jordan. Ralph and Mike have no reason to complain about Hack-A-Shaq. They should praise it, embrace it, thank that the rule hasn't been changed. If the opponent hacks DJ, the game is over, Clippers automatically win. (It has to happen in the 4th quarter for this to work, though).

Ranma, you might want to read my post on how DJ's free throw problems evaporate when the Clippers are within a 6-point cover in the 4th quarter and in overtime.

Anyway, for me to be convinced that Doc Rivers has indeed turned a corner, the Clippers will need three wins against elite teams. Here's their record as of today:

Elite teams (GSW, SAS, OKC, CLE, MIA, CHI): 0-2
Playoff teams (DAL, MEM, UTA, HOU, IND, CHA, TOR, ATL, ORL): 3-5
Lottery teams (the rest): 10-2

[Ranma]

Ranma, you might want to read my post on how DJ's free throw problems evaporate when the Clippers are within a 6-point cover in the 4th quarter and in overtime.

I've already read it and appreciated the amount of work you put into it. However, I still don't think of DJ as being a clutch free-throw shooter late in the game even if he does seem a bit more focused in his approach. His performance from the line in this game would lend credence to your hypothesis, but I'd need other support data and a bigger sample size to be convinced.

In any case, even if what you say is true, DJ missing free throws throughout out the game and not at the end of it, presents a problem which is infuriating. Giving opportunities at free points with the Shaq excuse of "making them when they matter" is an unacceptable proposition. Focus on free-throw shooting, just as a clean and repeatable form, should be a consistent approach. Keeping games close by throwing away points only puts the burden to the rest of the team to make up for it, particularly with regard to resting the starters and giving bench players more developmental time during game situations. Also, simply it's a bad attitude to have, which unfortunately, wouldn't be surprising from Jordan.

[QRich3]

Jamal Crawford just got T'd up for a non-call on a foul he wanted on his pull-up shot. Isn't that like Crawford's 2nd technical foul ever after receiving his 1st ever last season? The B'ing and whining now pervades throughout the roster.

And the fandom too

[Ranma]

And the fandom too

By all means, let's continue ignoring obvious problems and making excuses for an under-performing leader who's been given the authority to make changes.

[Ranma]

Uh oh. More people pointing out troubling signs. Haters be hating and all that nonsense. Sitting around while turning a blind eye to blatant problems is neither constructive nor an indication of fan loyalty. Lest we forget, fandom includes passion as a component.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Glad that we have a winning streak going, hopefully we can extend it tonight against the Bulls.

I just wanted to say this, since I don't get a chance to watch many of the games, what kid of dysfunction is happening with this team? I will be watching tonight to see if anything happens.

[LACtdom]

Uh oh. More people pointing out troubling signs. Haters be hating and all that nonsense. Sitting around while turning a blind eye to blatant problems is neither constructive nor an indication of fan loyalty. Lest we forget, fandom includes passion as a component.

I enjoy these kinds of things because it puts our team under the hot spot and hopefully puts pressure on Ballmer, Doc and the players to make a change.

[Wammy Giveaway]

I just wanted to say this, since I don't get a chance to watch many of the games, what kind of dysfunction is happening with this team? I will be watching tonight to see if anything happens.

There are tons. Here's a recap:

- Rivers throwing a seat cushion, hurting one fan at a Kings road game, fined
- Three-game losing streak, culminating in a now reported Josh Smith-Mike Woodson argument following the loss to Raptors
- Gillian Zucker relaying logo duties to the Miami Heat design team
- Blake Griffin getting ejected at a Suns road game
- Per Today's Fastbreak, Doc favoring the progress of his son's play at the expense of his team
- Rumors of trades for Lance Stephenson, Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford to fix the 3. In my post, I surmise that Doc ultimately wants a superstar at that spot. And now, a rumor surfaced:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ChrisEscarra/status/675022075539513344[/tweet]

The only good thing the team has right now is friendship. Griffin and Jordan are both best friends and lifetime Clippers. Crawford, Smith and Woodson are former Hawks personnel. Cassell is a former Clipper. Doc and Austin are family. Doc and Pierce are former Celtics personnel.

[TucsonClip]

Glad that we have a winning streak going, hopefully we can extend it tonight against the Bulls.

I just wanted to say this, since I don't get a chance to watch many of the games, what kid of dysfunction is happening with this team? I will be watching tonight to see if anything happens.

Lance and Smith are buddies and clearly are not mixing well with some of the players and coaches.

The fact that both of them are playing well should help cover up any chemistry issues, but they keep popping up here and there.

Winning cures all, at least in the short-term (which is all we are committed to both players for).

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Thanks guys and Wammy I was aware of many of your bullet points (not all of them though)

I am coming back to Cali for 2 & a 1/2 weeks from December to past the new year, so I'll be able to watch many more Clipper games